Peter Shaffer's Equus

Equus is a play by Peter Shaffer, telling the story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological fascination with horses.

Shaffer was inspired to write his play when he heard of a crime involving a teenage boy's apparently senseless mutilation of horses. He then set out to construct a fictional account of what might have caused the incident, without knowing any of the details of the crime. The play is posited as a kind of postmodern detective story.

Equus is to be restaged in 2007 with Harry Potter co-stars Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe in the leading roles.

The play will be directed by Thea Sharrock, and it is to open in London in February 2007 at the Gielgud Theatre.

The casting of Radcliffe, still associated with films intended for general audiences (i.e., Harry Potter), has caused some minor controversy, since the role of Alan Strang will require him to appear naked on stage.

It is Radcliffe’s advanced photo campaign for ‘Equus’ that has caused quite a commotion in the media and among his fans. Most of the photos, Radcliffe appears to be nude.

It's safe to say that Daniel Radcliffe plans to leave his Harry Potter image far behind him as he explores - Equus.